10/18/2016
SOME SIGNIFICANT WILDLIFE STRIKES TO CIVIL AIRCRAFT
IN THE UNITED STATES, JANUARY 1990 – MAY 2010
Sandra Wright, Manager, FAA Wildlife Strike Database
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Wildlife Services
6100 Columbus Ave.
Sandusky, OH 44870 USA
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, through an interagency agreement with the Federal Aviation Administration, compiles a database of all reported wildlife strikes to U.S. civil aircraft and to foreign carriers experiencing strikes in the USA. We have compiled 99,411 strike reports from 1,585 USA airports and 237 foreign airports for January 1990 through December 2009 (9,474 strikes in 2009), but estimate that this represents only about 39% of the strikes that have occurred. The following examples from the database are presented to show the serious impacts that strikes by birds or other wildlife can have on aircraft. These examples, from throughout the USA, demonstrate the widespread and diverse nature of the problem. The examples are not intended to highlight or criticize individual airports because strikes have occurred on almost every airport in the USA. Many of the strike examples reported here occurred off airport property during approach or departure. For more information on wildlife strikes or to report a strike, visit www.birdstrike.org. or http://wildlife.faa.gov
Date:
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11 January 1990
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Aircraft:
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Hawker Siddeley
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Airport:
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John Tune (TN)
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Phase of Flight:
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Takeoff run
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Effect on Flight:
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Not reported
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Damage:
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Engine (aircraft damaged beyond repair)
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Wildlife Species:
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White-tailed deer
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Comments from Report: Several deer were struck during takeoff. One was completely ingested in the left engine. The impact tore the engine loose from the aircraft. The aircraft had to be replaced at a cost of $1.4 million.
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Date:
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12 June 1990
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Aircraft:
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Fairchild Metro III
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Airport:
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Burke Lakefront (OH)
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Phase of Flight:
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Landing roll
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Effect on Flight:
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None
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Damage:
|
Engine
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Wildlife Species:
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Gull
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Comments from Report: Ingested a gull in #2 engine during landing. Engine was replaced. Time out of service was 24 hours. Cost to replace engine was $17,000.
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Date:
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09 October 1990
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Aircraft:
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Citation 550
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Airport:
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DeKalb Peachtree (GA)
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Phase of Flight:
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Takeoff run
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Effect on Flight:
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Precautionary landing, engine shut down
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Damage:
|
Engine
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Wildlife Species:
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Unknown bird
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Comments from Report: Ingested a bird in #1 engine during takeoff. Vibration increased and the engine was shut down. Fan and inlet guide vanes were destroyed. Time out of service was about 3 days. Cost of repairs estimated at $105,000.
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Date:
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02 November 1990
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Aircraft:
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Eurocopter 145
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Airport:
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En Route (SD)
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Phase of Flight:
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En Route (1200’ AGL)
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Effect on Flight:
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Emergency landing
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Damage:
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Windshield
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Wildlife Species:
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Duck
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Comments from Report: While en route to pick up a patient, the aircraft struck at least 2 ducks. One came through the copilot’s windshield. The duck struck the medic on the shoulder and knee then continued back, striking the left side wall and splattered throughout the medical crew area. The medic suffered a small cut to the knee. Crew used night vision goggles to land in a farm field.
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Date:
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05 November 1990
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Aircraft:
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BAe Jetstream 31
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Airport:
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Michiana Regional (IN)
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Phase of Flight:
|
Takeoff run
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Effect on Flight:
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Aborted takeoff, engine shut down
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Damage:
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Engines, propellers
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Wildlife Species:
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Dove
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Comments from Report: Doves were ingested in both engines. Engines were destroyed. Time out of service 2 ½ days. Cost of repairs estimated at $1 million.
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Date:
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28 August 1991
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Aircraft:
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Cessna 550
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Airport:
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Person County (NC)
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Phase of Flight:
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Takeoff run
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Effect on Flight:
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Aborted takeoff
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Damage:
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Engine
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Wildlife Species:
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Dove
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Comments from Report: Right engine inlet was damaged by the temperature probe being tossed back and forth prior to going through the fan. All 28 fan blades were bent, torn and chipped. Stator behind fan was damaged. Time out of service was 3 days. Cost of repairs was $160,000.
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Date:
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12 November 1991
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Aircraft:
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DC-10
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Airport:
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Chicago O’Hare Intl. (IL)
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Phase of Flight:
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Takeoff run
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Effect on Flight:
|
Precautionary landing
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Damage:
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Engines
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Wildlife Species:
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American crow
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Comments from Report: The #1 engine was shut down and the plane returned to land after ingesting a crow (or crows) on takeoff. Parts of the engine came out the side and damaged the #2 engine.
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Date:
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24 November 1991
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Aircraft:
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Learjet 35
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Airport:
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Sullivan County Intl. (NY)
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Phase of Flight:
|
Takeoff run
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Effect on Flight:
|
Precautionary landing
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Damage:
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Engine, wing, tail
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Wildlife Species:
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Gull
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Comments from Report: Eight gulls were struck which damaged a wing and the #1 engine, causing an 80% thrust loss. The aircraft landed safely. Time out of service was 3 weeks. Cost of repairs was $340,000.
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Date:
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30 December 1991
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Aircraft:
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Citation 550
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Airport:
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Angelina County (TX)
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Phase of Flight:
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Takeoff run
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Effect on Flight:
|
Aborted takeoff
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Damage:
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Engine
|
Wildlife Species:
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Turkey vulture
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Comments from Report: Ingested 1-2 vultures in #1 engine during takeoff. Engine had an uncontained failure, fire and vibration with 100% thrust loss. Wing and fuselage received damage from engine shrapnel. Time out of service was 2 weeks. Cost of repairs $552,500.
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Date:
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2 February 1992
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Aircraft:
|
Piper 28
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Airport:
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Sandstone (MN)
|
Phase of Flight:
|
Approach
|
Effect on Flight:
|
Impacted trees and ground
|
Damage:
|
Aircraft destroyed
|
Wildlife Species:
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White-tailed deer
|
Comments from Report: Just prior to touchdown, a deer ran toward and collided with the aircraft. The pilot added power and aborted the landing. Loss of engine power was experienced during the climb and the aircraft crashed into trees then the ground ¼ mile south of airport. Pilot was seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed. NTSB found that the deer had damaged the gascolator and fuel starvation resulted.
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Date:
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5 June 1992
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Aircraft:
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Starduster SA 300
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Airport:
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Off airport at Wills Point (TX)
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Phase of Flight:
|
Low level maneuvers
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Effect on Flight:
|
Impacted ground
|
Damage:
|
Aircraft destroyed
|
Wildlife Species:
|
Unknown bird
|
Comments from Report: The pilot was viewed by several witnesses maneuvering his aerobatic airplane at a low altitude over open pasture land. It hit a large black bird. The airplane descended out of control and impacted into a field. A fire consumed the airframe. The bird’s carcass was located under the cockpit of the inverted airframe. One fatality. NTSB investigated.
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Date:
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10 August 1992
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Aircraft:
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Cessna 441
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Airport:
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Lee Gilmer Memorial (GA)
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Phase of Flight:
|
Climb
|
Effect on Flight:
|
Impacted ground
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Damage:
|
Aircraft destroyed
|
Wildlife Species:
|
Unknown bird
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Comments from Report: Immediately after takeoff, aircraft hit birds. Right engine lost power and aircraft would not maintain altitude. Pilot was forced to land in a residential area ¼ mile from Gainesville Airport. Both pilot and passenger were seriously injured. NTSB reported that pilot shut down wrong engine and did not follow emergency checklist. Aircraft valued at between $690,000-$1.7 million.
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Date:
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04 September 1992
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Aircraft:
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Aero Commander S2R
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Airport:
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Jay Kay Ranch Airport (TX)
|
Phase of Flight:
|
Landing
|
Effect on Flight:
|
Swerved to avoid
|
Damage:
|
Substantial
|
Wildlife Species:
|
Deer
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Comments from Report: Pilot lifted off the ground to avoid a deer crossing the runway and settled into some trees. The aircraft was rebuilt.
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Date:
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24 October 1992
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Aircraft:
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B-747
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Airport:
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John F. Kennedy Intl. (NY)
|
Phase of Flight:
|
Takeoff run
|
Effect on Flight:
|
Precautionary landing
|
Damage:
|
Engine
|
Wildlife Species:
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Herring gull
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Comments from Report: Numerous birds were struck on departure. One gull was ingested, causing engine vibration. The aircraft made a precautionary landing. Passengers were put on another aircraft and departed the next day. Four fan blades were bent. Replacement assembly and maintenance had to be flown from Tokyo for repairs. Cost reported to be $750,000 which included hotel, lost revenue and repairs.
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Date:
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24 March 1993
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Aircraft:
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Bell BHT-47
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Airport:
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En Route
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Phase of Flight:
|
En Route
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Effect on Flight:
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Impacted water
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Damage:
|
Aircraft destroyed
|
Wildlife Species:
|
Unknown bird
|
Comments from Report: During cruise pilot heard a loud bang and felt vibration in rudder pedals then lost all yaw control. Pilot thought the tail rotor struck a large sea bird, as many were in the area. He maintained directional control and tried to lower the helicopter so that the passenger (a ship’s captain) could reach small boats being lowered by his ship nearby. The passenger jumped before the pilot gave the okay and was killed. The pilot subsequently made a running landing on the water and was hoisted on board the ship.
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Date:
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10 June 1993
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Aircraft:
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Learjet 25
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Airport:
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Port Columbus Intl. (OH)
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Phase of Flight:
|
Climb
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Effect on Flight:
|
Precautionary landing, engine shut down
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Damage:
|
Engine
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Wildlife Species:
|
Unknown bird
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Comments from Report: Ingested a bird in #2 engine during climb-out. Engine shut down and was completely destroyed. Time out of service was 2 days. Cost of repairs was $254,000.
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Date:
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6 September 1993
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Aircraft:
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Kitfox 4-1200
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Airport:
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Mason County Arpt (WV)
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Phase of Flight:
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Approach (6-10’ AGL)
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Effect on Flight:
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Landed short of runway
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Damage:
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Aircraft destroyed
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Wildlife Species:
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White-tailed deer
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Comments from Report: Aircraft hit a deer on short final and touched down 30’ short of runway. The nose wheel broke off and the aircraft skidded 310’ feet and was destroyed by fire. NTSB investigated.
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Date:
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22 October 1993
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Aircraft:
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B-757
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Airport:
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Salt Lake City (UT)
|
Phase of Flight:
|
Climb (2,500’ AGL)
|
Effect on Flight:
|
Precautionary landing
|
Damage:
|
Engine
|
Wildlife Species:
|
Unknown bird (suspect gull)
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Comments from Report: A bird was ingested in the #1 engine during climb-out, which caused high pressure turbine damage. The engine was replaced. Cost was $300,000.
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